£300m ‘could be saved on care’
Councils could release more than £300m for the care of the elderly if they cut the cost of social care assessments and reviews, a public spending watchdog has found.
The Audit Commission has calculated that local authorities in England could save up to £312m a year if they reduced their assessment costs to the level of the most efficient councils.
Commission managing director Andy McKeon said: “Assessments and reviews are a crucial element of social care, enabling individuals’ needs to be properly identified and met.
“However, our evidence suggests that councils can spend less and still do an excellent job in helping people receive the care that they need.”